Tri-ing our very best

OLDHAM’S Milltown Triathlon could be the saviour of three valued services facing funding cuts of £344,000.

The three organistations provide activities for local disabled youngsters but cash cuts mean they face a struggle to continue.

As a result, a representative from each will be taking part in the triathlon challenge on April 26 to raise awareness of what each organisation does — and vital funds.

Wheels For All provides cycling opportunities for children and adults with disabilities of additional needs.

POINT is a forum which aims to give parents and carers of young people with additional needs a voice to shape future services and Starfish School of Swimming specialises in teaching disabled children to swim.

The three services call themselves the Short Breaks Alliance.

Kevin Lanham from Wheels For All, Aaron Foster from POINT and Nichola Smith from Starfish School of Swimming are taking on the 400m swim, 20k bike ride and 5k run.

Caroline Whitworth, acting vice chairman of POINT, said: “It is the first time Oldham has held an official triathlon and we see it as a great opportunity to make people more aware of what we do.

“We are at real risk with these cuts to funding and we all want to do anything in our power to continue to help people that need us.”

Kevin Lanham, who runs Wheels For All, said: “We provide a valuable service for the people —if it goes, for some there will be nothing to do.”

Nichola Smith, who runs Starfish School of Swimming, said: “Swimming is a useful life skill for anyone, it also provides therapy, respite and physiotherapy.

“I cannot offer the services that I offer at a reasonable price without funding. It is so costly to hire the pool and put on the sessions, the price I would have to charge to parents would be astronomical.”

Councillor Jenny Harrison, cabinet member for social care and public health said: “No area can be immune from these budget pressures.

“We are working hard to find different and more efficient ways to support families and protect and safeguard our most vulnerable.

“We do need to make £344,000 in savings within the Short Breaks service over the next two years and we have been consulting with parents and local groups how we can work together to meet the needs of our children and young people despite reduced funding.

“As a result of previous savings we have supported parents to set up a Short Breaks Steering Group and met with them on numerous occasions to discuss the changes.”

Anyone wanting to donate to the Short Breaks Alliance should visit www.pointoldham.co.uk/fundraising